Try To Identify These Famous Figures
America has been shaped by people who defied the odds with their unique visions and left a lasting impact on the world. But can you name them in an instant with just a clue to help you?
He Supposedly Never Told A Lie
You know him. He led a revolution, but he didn't want to be king. His face is on the dollar bill, and his name is everywhere.
The Answer
George Washington. The first President of the United States helped secure American independence and set the standard for leadership in the new nation.
Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons
He Helped Put America On Wheels
He didn't invent the automobile, but he made it affordable. His assembly line changed the way things were built and shaped the modern world.
The Answer
Henry Ford. The history of automobiles changed with Model T. He founded the Ford Motor Company and changed the auto industry with mass production to make cars accessible to ordinary Americans.
Hartsook, photographer, Wikimedia Commons
An Aviator Who Vanished Into History
She broke records in the sky but disappeared on her most daring journey. To this day, her fate remains one of history's greatest mysteries.
The Answer
Amelia Earhart. She was a successful aviator and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, she vanished over the Pacific in 1937 while attempting a world flight.
Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons
His Words Captured The American Spirit
Born under Halley's Comet, he became one of America's greatest humorists. His stories about a young boy are among the most beloved in literature.
Underwood & Underwood, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Mark Twain. He wrote The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and later Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain used wit and satire to explore American life in the 19th century.
A.F. Bradley, New York, Wikimedia Commons
The Pen Behind The Declaration
This man bought a massive amount of land without firing a shot and wrote some of the most famous words in American history. He also wrote the Declaration of Independence.
Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Thomas Jefferson. He wrote the Declaration of Independence and became the third American President. He also orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase to double the size of the US.
Rembrandt Peale, Wikimedia Commons
A Software Pioneer Who Built A Tech Empire
As a teenager, he spent his free time writing software and built a company that put computers in millions of homes. His work made him one of the wealthiest people in the world.
The Answer
Bill Gates. The co-founder of Microsoft played a key role in the rise of personal computing and later became one of the world's leading philanthropists.
Kuhlmann /MSC, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Poet Who Rose Like A Phoenix
She wrote of caged birds and rising beyond adversity. Her voice carried the weight of history, and she spoke at a presidential inauguration.
Brian Stansberry (photographer), CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Maya Angelou. A poet and activist, Angelou wrote I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and became a powerful voice for civil rights and self-expression.
He Kept The Nation Together In The Time Of Conflict
He came from a log cabin, stood tall in a top hat, and believed that "a house divided against itself cannot stand". His most famous speech lasted just over two minutes.
Alexander Gardner, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Abraham Lincoln. He was the 16th President during the time of the Civil War. Lincoln also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which led to the abolition of slavery.
George Henry Story, Wikimedia Commons
A Woman Who Took A Stand By Staying Seated
One day, she refused to give up her seat, but her act of defiance moved a whole nation. That simple "no" became a turning point in American history.
The Answer
Rosa Parks. The one known as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”. Her decision to remain seated on a segregated bus in Montgomery sparked a wave of change that changed modern American history.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
He's A Dreamer Who Changed A Nation
His words echoed from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to inspire millions. He believed in peaceful protests and fought for equality, even when it meant risking his life.
The Answer
Martin Luther King Jr. He led the Civil Rights Movement and advocated for racial justice. He is best known for his "I Have a Dream" speech.
Phil Stanziola, NYWT&S staff photographer, Wikimedia Commons
The Writer Who Lived As Boldly As His Stories
He drove ambulances in war, ran with bulls, fished the deep seas, and hunted in Africa. His writing was as sharp as a sword, and his words are still remembered.
Lloyd Arnold, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Ernest Hemingway. A literary giant known for The Old Man and the Sea and A Farewell to Arms, he pioneered a minimalist writing style and lived a life of adventure.
Look Magazine, Photographer (NARA record: 1106476), Wikimedia Commons
He Led The Nation Through A Crisis
Taking office in the middle of the worst economic downturn in US history, he reassured Americans with his fireside chats and led the country through war.
Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Franklin D Roosevelt. He's the only US President elected four times as he guided the nation through the Great Depression and WW2 to leave a lasting impact.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
He Left His Footprints In Space
This man took a giant leap for mankind and left his footprints on the lunar surface. His words from space became some of the most famous ever spoken.
Neil Armstrong, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Neil Armstrong. As the commander of Apollo 11, he became the first human to walk on the Moon in 1969 to mark a milestone in space exploration.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
His Invention Connected The World
He was born in Scotland but later became an American citizen. Inspired by a family situation, he made an invention that redefined communication.
The Answer
Alexander Graham Bell. He invented the telephone, and his work laid the foundation for modern telecommunications.
Moffett Studio, Wikimedia Commons
Thanks To Him, The Supreme Court Gained More Power
Before he took the bench, the Supreme Court had little real power. Under his leadership, it became a force that could strike down laws and shape the nation's future.
Chester Harding, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
John Marshall. He was the fourth Chief Justice of the US and established the principle of judicial review, which strengthened the power of the Supreme Court.
Henry Inman, Wikimedia Commons
The Doctor Who Saved Millions
His discovery changed childhood forever. Thanks to his work, a once-feared disease was nearly eradicated.
The Answer
Jonas Salk. He is the medical researcher who developed the polio vaccine. His work protected generations of children from a devastating illness.
SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Wikimedia Commons
The Man Who Broke Baseball's Color Barrier
Wearing number 42, he stepped onto the field and changed history. Facing hostility, he let his performance do the talking to prove he belonged among the greats.
Photo by Bob Sandberg Look photographer, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Jackie Robinson. He was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the modern era. As a result, he paved the way for racial integration in professional sports.
Harry Warnecke, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
He Made Dreams Come True
He built an empire of movies and theme parks that defined childhood for generations, all based on the character of a mouse.
Juliancolton, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Walt Disney. He's the visionary behind Mickey Mouse and Disneyland. Disney transformed entertainment and left a lasting legacy in animation and storytelling.
Two Brothers Who Soared
At a small airfield in North Carolina, they changed the course of history. Their successful experiment in powered flight paved the way for modern aviation.
Daniels John T, Kill Devil Hills Life Saving Station on Wikimedia
The Answer
The Wright Brothers. Orville and Wilbur Wright built and flew the first powered airplane in 1903, which opened the skies to humanity.
He Lit Up The World
His lab was called "The Invention Factory," and his breakthroughs made modern life possible. Among his thousands of patents, his most famous creation brought light to the darkness.
The Answer
Thomas Edison. He invented the phonograph, motion picture camera, electric pen, and electric light bulb. Edison held over 1,000 patents and revolutionized everyday life.
Louis Bachrach, Bachrach Studios, Michel Vuijlsteke, Wikimedia Commons
The Poet Who Mastered The Macabre
His tales of mystery and horror have haunted readers for generations. A raven was the star of one of his famous poems.
Priyanshi.rastogi21, Wikimedia Commons
The Answer
Edgar Allan Poe. He's the master of gothic literature and wrote The Raven, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, and other dark, eerie tales that defined American horror.
Unknown, with restoration by Yann, Adam Cuerden and Qono, Wikimedia Commons
She Was The Queen Of Soul
Her powerful voice made her a legend in gospel and soul. She demanded respect and was the first woman to famously be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Answer
Aretha Franklin. As one of the greatest vocalists of all time, she was known for hits like “Natural Woman” and “Respect.” She was also a symbol of musical excellence and civil rights activism.